Quick Facts and Useful Resources/Links

Public water systems provide water for human consumption to at least 15 service connections or serve an average of at least 25 people for at least 60 days a year. These range from large city systems to smaller systems such as mobile home parks and campgrounds.

There are approximately 155,000 public water systems in the United States. Benton County has 53 public water systems.

Community public water systems supply water to the same population year-round. There are 15 community water systems in Benton County, which serve a population of 63,616, or 88% of the population. The 10 largest and their populations served are:

City of Corvallis - 54,800

Philomath Public Works - 4,690

Adair Village Water System - 933

Pope and Talbot, Inc. - 800

City of Monroe - 690

Knoll Terrace Park - 400

Vineyard Mountain Water - 325

Alsea County Service District - 243

Fir View Water Company - 180

Cascade View Estates - 150

91% of the public water systems in Benton County use groundwater as their source.

Over 88% of the population of Benton County is served by surface water.

Approximately 80-90% of the household water use in Benton County is met by surface water withdrawals from the Willamette River and its tributaries.

Some of the most recognizable rivers in Benton County serve as drinking water sources:

Alsea

Long Tom

Luckiamute

Mary's

Willamette

The US Geological Survey (USGS) estimates Benton County water use to be approximately 100 gallons per capita per day.

Approximately 12% of the Benton County population gets their drinking water from domestic wells.

Sources of Contaminants

The primary concern for potential contaminants of surface water sources include contaminated runoff, stormwater, and wastewater discharge.

For groundwater sources, the greatest potential risks in Benton County are:

Above ground storage tanks: spills or leaks of fuel and other chemicals

Agricultural activities

High density septic systems (>1 system per acre): microbes, nitrate, and other improperly discarded chemicals